One of the most common things I hear from people who are seriously considering foster care is some version of this,
“I want to do this, but I am not sure if something in my past would hold me back.”
It is a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer. So let me walk you through what actually matters during the licensing process, what might be a concern, and what is less of a barrier than people often assume.
The short version: in Minnesota, a small set of serious offenses are permanent bars, including homicide, sexual abuse, first-degree assault, and arson. Others carry a five-year bar. Many criminal offenses are classified as non-disqualifying, which means they trigger a review and a conversation rather than an automatic denial. Not every difficult history disqualifies you.
The process is designed to look at the full picture of who you are today, not just what your record might show.
The Background Study
Everyone who applies to become a licensed foster parent in Minnesota must complete a background study through the state background study system, administered under the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This includes all household members age 13 and older, not just the applicants.
The background study looks at criminal history and any child maltreatment findings. The results fall into a few categories: clear, disqualifying, or non-disqualifying. That middle category is important and often misunderstood, so let’s talk about it.
What Is Actually Disqualifying
Some offenses are permanent bars, meaning they will disqualify an applicant regardless of how much time has passed or how much someone has changed. In Minnesota, these include things like homicide, sexual abuse, first-degree assault, arson, and similar serious crimes. A maltreatment finding of sexual abuse is also a permanent bar as of July 1, 2022.
There is also a category of offenses that carry a five-year bar, meaning they are disqualifying within a certain time period but may be reviewed after that window has passed.
If you are not sure whether something in your history falls into one of these categories, the most straightforward thing you can do is reach out and have an honest conversation with a licensor. That is what we are here for.
What Is Not Automatically Disqualifying
A lot of people are surprised by how much room there is in this category.
Minnesota updated its foster care background study laws in 2022 with the specific goal of reducing unnecessary barriers, particularly for relatives and others with minor or older offenses on their record. Many criminal offenses that show up on a background study are classified as non-disqualifying, meaning they do not automatically prevent someone from being licensed. Instead, they trigger a conversation.
When non-disqualifying information appears on a background study, the licensing agency is required to review it and have a conversation with the applicant to determine whether it poses a risk to children in foster care. This is the applicant’s opportunity to share their version of events, explain how things have changed, and demonstrate how their past does not impact the safety or wellbeing of children.
Being open and honest during that conversation matters. Licensors are not looking for perfection. They are looking for honesty, growth, and a real commitment to the children in their care.
Substance Use History
This is one of the areas people ask about most. If you have struggled with substance use in the past, that does not automatically close the door.
In Minnesota, applicants and all adult household members are required to sign a statement confirming they have been free from chemical use problems for at least two years. If that is where you are, you may still be eligible. What matters is where you are now and whether you can honestly say that your home is a stable, substance-free environment for a child.
Major Life Changes
If you are going through a significant life transition, the recommendation is generally to wait at least one year before applying. That includes a recent marriage, the birth of a child, or the loss of a close family member. This is not a disqualifier, just good advice. Foster care asks a lot of a household, and having some stability under your feet before you start helps set everyone up for success.
Home and Financial Stability
You do not need to own your home, and you do not need to be wealthy. Renters can become licensed as long as their landlord gives written permission and the home meets safety standards.
Licensing will also look at whether you are financially stable without depending on the foster care reimbursement to cover household expenses. There may be gaps between placements, and the stipend is intended to help offset costs, not replace income.
What We Look at Beyond the Checklist
Licensing is not just a checklist. At North Homes, our licensors take the time to get to know you, your household, and the environment you would be bringing a child into. We want to understand your strengths, what kinds of children you are best equipped to care for, and where you might need additional support or training.
Every family brings something different. We have seen people with complicated histories become exceptional foster parents because they showed up, did the work, and brought a level of understanding to a child’s experience that came directly from their own. What disqualifies someone is not always what people expect, and what qualifies them often surprises people too.
When in Doubt, Just Ask
If you are sitting with a specific concern about your history or your household, do not let that question stay unanswered. The only way to know for sure is to have the conversation.
Our licensors at North Homes are here to give you honest answers. We would rather talk through a concern early than have someone walk away from something they were meant to do.
If you are further along and want to know what the process itself involves, we mapped out the full licensing process step by step. If you are earlier than that and still weighing whether foster care is a fit for your family, start there instead.
Give us a call at (218) 751-0282 or reach out by email at info@northhomes.org. We are happy to talk through your situation and help you figure out where you stand.
